San Jose Archives - Page 7 of 8

Sundial at the Municipal Rose Garden in San Jose

I Promise you Two Rose Gardens, San José

May 19, 2017February 1, 2025Silvia

At the Municipal Rose Garden in San José the smell is overwhelmingly luxurious.

Names like love song, white delight, jump for joy, sparkle & shine, passionate kisses speak to the traditional use of roses as a gift for the loved one.

Here you see a lot of people stopping and smelling the roses, taking pictures and wandering in awe. A perfect location for wedding photos.

Only 1.5 miles to the north, up Naglee Ave is San José’s Heritage Rose Garden. First I thought it odd to have two rose garden so close to each other. But the two could not be more different. There was no one else around when I explored the garden. So close to the street I thought the smell was fuel, but I only had to wait a few minutes to realize the the garden is on the flight path of San José airport and most likely the smell was kerosene. In between planes it is actually a quiet place and the amount of roses shows that the purpose of this garden is to preserve them. With almost 3,500 plants and 3,000 varieties from heritage to modern to miniature roses, this is an amazing experience. So, if you are a true rose aficionado this might be the place for you.

Where do you stop and smell the roses?

Science not Silence, pin designed by Penelope Dullaghan

Stand up for Science

April 21, 2017February 2, 2025Silvia

April 22nd 2017 is Earth Day and you can support your scientist by marching. Many of the marches end with an Earth Day celebration, or with activities for kids. A great way to introduce the importance of marching for democratic rights to your children.

Like the Women’s March on January 21st, the March for Science’s biggest crowds are expected in Washington D.C. But there are eight satellite marches in the Bay Area where you can show your support:

San Francisco Start: Justin Herman Plaza, 11:00 AM; End: Civic Center Plaza

San Jose Start: San Jose City Hall, 11:00 AM; End: Plaza de Cesar Chavez

Santa Cruz Start: Santa Cruz City Hall, 10:00 AM; End: San Lorenzo Park

Pacifica Start: 2:30 PM, from Linda Mar Beach to Rockaway Beach and back

Walnut Creek Start: Civic Park, 10:00 AM

Livermore Start and End: Livermore High School; 1:00 PM

Hayward Start: Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 10:00 AM

Berkeley Start: Sproul Plaza, 4:00 PM

Here is a list of Earth Day events in the Bay Area:

http://www.bayareaearthday.org/bayareaearthdayevents/

Will you stand up for science?

Mosaic featuring Cesar Chavez from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Sí se Puede, Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission Chapel

February 17, 2017February 2, 2025Silvia

It’s been now about a month that the former meeting place of Cesar Chavez and his followers was honored as a Historic National Landmark. Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission Chapel in San José, before it became know as McDonnell Hall, was essential for the San José United Farm Workers movement during the 1950s and 1960s. It supported local migrant workers with basic services and a space for organisational meetings.

Cesar Chavez was introduced to Father McDonnell in 1952. McDonnell was a big influence on Chavez and started educating him on nonviolence and social justice teaching using the examples of Gandhi and St. Francis.

When McDonnell opened his parish in East San José it was still known as Sal Si Puedes [or “Get Out If You Can”]. In 1972 Chavez and Dolores Huerta came up with the revised phrase: Sí se puede, which Obama used in his campaign as ‘Yes, we can!”

The city of San José’s memorial walk for Cesar Chavez from 2009 lists the McDonnell Hall, but also includes other places such as Chavez house and school.

https://www.sanjose.org/attraction/cesar-chavez-memorial-walkway

Who is your favorite non-violent leader?

Learn from Executive Order History, Japanese American Museum

February 3, 2017February 2, 2025Silvia

February 19th, also known as the Day of Remembrance, marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 which led to the forced incarceration of 120,000 people of Japanese descent, two-thirds of whom were American citizens.

To learn about the incarceration, the Japanese American Museum of San José put together an extensive exhibit, not only detailing the different camps, but also showing a rebuild of a living quarter of Tule Lake.

This museum presents the history of Japanese Americans from the gold rush to the resettlement. I was led through the exhibit by Abe, who was an excellent tour guide and very knowledgeable. For only $5 (seniors and students pay $3) this interesting museum about Japanese American history should be on everyone’s must-see-in-San-José list.

Will you remember?

Japanese American Museum of San José

535 N 5th St, San José, CA 95112
Opening hours are: Thursday through Sunday, 12 – 4 pm

February 19th, Day of Remembrance

5:30 p.m – 7:30 p.m
This year under the theme: Stand up to Hate
San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin
640 North Fifth Street
San José, CA 95112

Play Piano in the Park

September 23, 2016February 2, 2025Silvia

I’m always on the lookout for some unexpected. A grand piano at the park, now that’s what I call unexpected!

For the third year the Santa Clara County Parks together with Sunset Piano and DC Pianos have released five pianos into five parks. They will reside in the parks until October 5th.

What a beautiful idea to combine the outdoors with music.

Here are the locations:

Vasona Lake by the boat rental area
Historic Casa Grande/New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum on the patio deck
Uvas Canyon near the waterfalls at the outdoor amphitheater
Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch’s Anglers picnic area
Joseph D. Grant near the historic Grant house and rose garden

Unfortunately I don’t play. And when I visited some of the pianos no one was playing, in fact they were covered up.

If you are like me but you still want to experience the music head out to Vasona Lake on October 2, from 4 to 6 Sunset Piano will perform Classical, Jazz, and pop selections.

Or encourage your piano playing friends to come out.

Anyone up for picnic, park and piano?

Be a Love Detective for Beethoven

September 9, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Well I guess Beethoven knew who he was writing to in his letter to the immortal beloved.

For researchers and everyone else this is still a mystery. In the exhibit: Beethoven in Love, from the Beethoven Center at San José University, you can educate yourself about all the people that played a significant role in Beethoven’s life. If you come to a conclusion about who was the immortal beloved you can also vote – voting booth and exhibit is open until December 17th, 2016.

But the Beethoven Center also has the largest collection on Beethoven memorabilia and books outside of Germany. I admit I came for the hair, a lock that has been tested, and is currently undergoing DNA testing, to uncover more mysteries about Beethoven’s life.

Our docent, Adriana was very knowledgeable about Beethoven and everything concerning him. We had a great time and as a special treat she also played on various instruments explaining the particularities about the instruments.

Do you have a favorite composer?

Discover the Sound of Joy, Musical Swing

August 12, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Can you remember the last time you were on a swing? The tickle you felt going up into the sky?

Now imagine a swing that makes a pleasant sound, different by how fast you go. But it gets even better, it’s a collaborative tool to show that you can make great music working together.

In San José, at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, a new installation provides exactly this experience.

Ten seats, four instruments (piano, harp, guitar and vibraphone) and fun for all ages provided by the Musical Swing:

http://www.musicalswings.com/

A project from Daily tous les jours, an interaction design studio bringing us collective experiences in public spaces. San José is the last stop in this traveling exhibit, ending October 2, 2016.

Mixed in with airplanes and construction noise, I felt happy.

Swing on by!

When was the last time you were on a swing?

Summer Water Fun

June 10, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Growing up in Germany summer break always meant hanging out at the pool. So my first idea for my sons summer break was this indoor pool I always wanted to check out. Luckily I did some research first and found out that this particular pool is right now only open Friday thru Sunday for recreational swim.

Well the weather is pleasant and warm enough for an outdoor pool.

Have you ever seen Bill and Ted’s excellent adventure? Remember San Dimas?

We are right next to Raging Waters, part of the trifecta water parks.

It was excellent to go on the first day of summer break since not all schools are on break at the same time. We mostly enjoyed the wave pool. But when we were ready to slide we walked right up to it! Excellent start dude!

Now let’s see what we’re going to do with the rest of the eleven weeks.

Do you have any fun activities planned for the summer?

History is Just a Walk in the Park, Alum Rock

April 15, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

So, California’s first municipal state park is right around our corner, Alum Rock in San José founded in 1872.

In the 1930’s this park was well known for its mineral springs. Having over 20 different springs with minerals like magnesium and sulfur and naturally carbonated soda springs, a few doctors at the time attested their health benefits. The park also once had a natatorium, a heated indoor pool, plus about 50 mineral baths that pumped in the sulfur water right from the springs. Build in 1912 this was the major attraction in the park. It was closed after 1970, and only a plate remains where it used to be.

While doing the short mineral springs trail you can see the grottos once built around the springs to identify and protect them. And look for the tiled tubs that were holding tanks to warm up the water that was piped to the bathhouses for the actual baths.

But Alum Rock is also San José’s largest park, with various hiking trails, a lot of different picnic areas, a playground, a beach volleyball court and the Youth Science Institute.

Parking within the park is $6.

What is your favorite historic site?

Frisbee + Being in the Woods = Disc Golf

March 13, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

It is a simple equation, but needs a bit of prep work. Go to your favorite sport store and get yourself a starter kit for disc golf. They run at about $20. It will usually contain a driver, a midrange and a putter frisbee.

Then go to a disc golf course, there are a few courses in the Bay Area, and throw your frisbees around. To find one course near you go to http://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php.

We recently went to Hellyer Park again, a well maintained 9-hole course.

You can play for free the first times, but should consider dashing out the $25 yearly fee to the Silicon Valley Disc Golf Club: http://svdgc.org, which pays for a yearly membership that is tax deductible. Other courses might charge you a Green Fee, so this is a pretty good deal!

Disc golf basket — In this basket you shall throw.

You are still wondering what it is? Well, disc golf is similar to golf as an advancement through a course with different baskets to reach. It is much easier than golf and a lot of fun.

If you are looking for a casual sport that is not too strenuous but gets you out to have some fun with friends you might want to consider disc golf.

Have you ever played disc golf before?

until suburbia!

San Jose